Morning light spilled in through the curtains, softened by the sheer fabric Victor had insisted on keeping drawn. Elias was still half-buried in the duvet, hair rumpled and eyes narrowed at the sunlight, when Victor set a cup of coffee on the nightstand.
"Up," Victor said, with the tone of someone who wasn't expecting a debate.
Elias groaned, rolling onto his back. "You're not seriously making me do anything today."
Victor sat on the edge of the bed, one elbow resting on his knee as he studied him. "We still have to attend the symposium."
That dragged Elias's gaze fully open. "No."
"Yes." Victor's smirk held the patience of a man who had already anticipated the refusal. "But I'm generous. You're not giving a presentation."
Elias blinked at him. "That's your idea of generous?"
"You only have to sit there, drink your coffee, and look mildly interested," Victor said, reaching over to slide the cup into his hands. "I've excused you from everything else."
